Minnetonka
 General
Info
Minnetonka's name translates to "Big Water," and this Hennepin
County city offers loads of lakeside activities.
The city was founded in 1852 as the first European-American settlement west
of Minneapolis. Most early settlers were New Englanders. National newspapers
and even some foreign press encouraged settlement in the area, which grew
around Minnehaha Creek and modern-day McGinty Road.
"Minne" means "water" and "tonka" means "big."
Minnetonka Township originally covered 36 square miles, but it shrank when
the cities of Wayzata, Hopkins, Deephaven, Woodland and St. Louis Park split
off. In 1956, the remaining 28 square miles were incorporated as Minnetonka
Village. And in 1969, Minnetonka became a city by charter.
Located 10 miles west of Minneapolis, Minnetonka touches the far eastern
shores of Lake Minnetonka. With dozens of nearby lakes, creeks and wetlands,
Minnetonka residents have access to 39 parks and recreation areas totaling
1,100 acres, including five large community parks. In addition, it contains
the Minnetonka Loop Trail System, a 30-mile trail for running, biking and
walking.
Residents have direct access to Interstate Highways 494 and 394, and State
Highways 7, 101 and 169. Ridgedale Mall and its surrounding area serve as
the hub of retail activity. The mall is located just east of the intersection
of I-494 and I-394.
 Education
Students in Minnetonka are served by three different districts: Hopkins
School District No. 270, Minnetonka School District No. 276 and Wayzata
School District No. 284. Private schools include Accell Academy, Immaculate
Heart of Mary and Minnetonka Christian Academy. For post-secondary education,
the University of Minnesota, Dunwoody College of Technology and several
other schools are located just minutes away in Minneapolis.
Location
Minnetonka is located in Hennepin County, 10 miles west of Minneapolis.
Population
Minnetonka has approximately 51,301 residents.
Pricing
Minnetonka's real estate market is quite diverse. Tall trees and well-landscaped
yards homes that range from condos and townhouses to single-family detached
homes of all shapes and sizes. A typical three-bedroom house with basement,
fireplace and spacious backyard ranges in price from $200,000 to $600,000
and more. Larger homes range in price from $600,000 to $900,000, while
prices for magnificent estate properties in upscale neighborhoods can
exceed $1 million depending on amenities, views and location. Condominiums
and townhouses are readily available and are usually priced from the mid-$100,000s
to $400,000 and more. Some historical properties are also available, as
are land and lots for custom development.
 Recreation
Minnetonka offers a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities.
Start with a visit to the historic Burwell House, or head off to Civic
Center Park, which hosts the annual Minnetonka Summer Festival. The park
is also home to a community center, city hall, fire station and two ice
arenas.
Dig your toes into the sand at Libbs Lake Beach, which is connected via
channel to Minnehaha Creek. Peaceful Linner Park preserves the area’s
natural wetlands. And Meadow Park comprises 100 acres, offering a playground,
hockey rinks, tennis courts and more.
The city of Minnetonka is a suburban community located eight miles west
of Minneapolis in Hennepin County. The city has a land area of 28 square
miles, and its 2000 population of 51,301 makes it the thirteenth largest
city in Minnesota. Minnetonka enjoys an excellent location, with convenient
access to the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area via interstate highways
I-494 and I-394. Interstate Highway 394 runs from Minnetonka east to Minneapolis,
and is a primary commuter route to downtown Minneapolis. Its reversible
high-occupancy vehicle lanes create a priority route for buses and car-pool
vehicles during peak traffic hours. The city is just 25 minutes from the
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
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